THE COMMITS
Bryan Trimble Jr. 6'3" 190 lbs, 3-star Shooting Guard
Trimble is a muscular guard who is doing a post-grad year at Sunrise Christian Academy. Look for his immediate impact to come on the defensive end. Trimble profiles as a lock down defender on the perimeter and Lord knows the 'Noles have been missing that for the past four seasons. Trimble will bring energy and defense from Day 1, but as of right now he is not a consistent offensive threat. With the firepower we have at the guard position for the next couple of years, that is perfectly fine. I see him as a great role player for 3-4 years for the 'Noles. Being a role player is nothing new to Trimble as he played on an AAU team this past summer that had two consensus five star prospects in Michael Porter, Jr. and Trae Young. Trimble may not be the big name that fans want but he is a player that the fans will soon grow to appreciate.
Raiquan Gray 6'8" 259 lbs, 4-star Stretch Four
The most recent commit is a big time hit with Johnathan and I as he is the type of player that Florida State has ignored in the small ball era. Gray is a stretch four that can shoot, pass, and defend quicker guards off of a switch. I saw a tweet that said he was Draymond Green-ish and I love that comparison if you are talking about Gray's skill-set. In his highlights, he seems to have a great feel for the game. You know that play that FSU runs every time they are on offense when Boris would somehow end up at the top of the key with the ball? I do and I remember getting pissed off every time it happened. Well Gray can actually make something happen in that situation - like drive to the basket effectively, hit a jumper, or pass to an open teammate for a bucket. Gray will also be around for 3 to 4 years and I believe he has a chance to be remembered with the likes of Al Thornton or Chris Singleton when it is all said and done.
THE ONE AND DONE RECRUITS
John Petty 6'5" 185 lbs, 5-star Shooting Guard
We have no chance for Mr. Petty, as this recruitment will come down to Kentucky or Alabama. But thanks for putting us in your top 5 John! H.A.G.S.
MJ Walker 6'5" 207 lbs, 4-star Shooting Guard
MJ Walker is a player that could step on a college football practice field right now and you would not notice that he is a freshman. In fact, Mr. Walker was a high profile football recruit before he decided to focus on basketball. Walker gets buckets. Plain and simple. His shot has become an absolute weapon over the past year. Defensively, Walker could be a monster if he buys in, as he has the elite strength and quickness required to be a lockdown defender. Do I think we have a good chance at getting MJ Walker? Not necessarily because he played on the Under Armour circuit and most high-level recruits commit to a school with a similar shoe sponsor. However, I do believe we have a chance at getting Walker as he has consistently mentioned that FSU has showed interest throughout. Here is how Hamilton gets MJ Walker: when Walker visits, the players and staff show him a great time and when it comes time to say goodbye, Hamilton sits down with Walker and has a simple conversation. "Son, do you want to wear these for a whole year?" as Hamilton places some new Steph Currys in front of Walker. Hamilton slowly gets up and leaves the room, but before he can leave, Walker stops him and says, "Hell no I am not playing in those things. I am committing to Florida State." That's at least how I could see it going down.
Kevin Knox 6'8" 203 lbs, 5-star Small Forward
This is our best shot at a one and done talent. Kevin Knox is a Florida State legacy thanks to both of his parents having played a sport at Florida State (father played football and mother played volleyball). Knox, like MJ Walker, was a top football recruit until he gave it up before his junior year because, basically, he has a real chance to be a lottery pick one day. The wing has made amazing strides in the last year on the court and it seems he will only be getting better. First off, Knox already buys in on the defensive end which is what landed him a spot on the USA's 17U team last summer. From then on, Knox has skyrocketed up recruiting boards. To the point where it has become far from a lock that he will attend FSU. Knox has an improving jump shot and handle, and once those two skills get up to par with his defense and energy the future is bright for this young man. Knox is our best chance at landing a one and done talent, but he is far from a lock to step foot on FSU's campus. Duke and UNC are pushing hard for Mr. Knox and, from what I have read this summer, Duke is the current leader for him. Florida State will put the full court press on Knox and hopefully that will be enough to bring him to Tallahassee.
Program Building Recruits
Nicolas Claxton 6'9" 195 lbs, 4-star SF/PF
Claxton is an extremely skilled forward who is listed as a small forward but I believe would be a perfect stretch four create mismatches on the offensive end. He is very long and should be an above average defender with his length and quickness. Claxton is skilled on the offensive end with his above average handles for his size and a solid jump shot that extends out to the three point line. FSU would love to get Claxton but he is a Georgia legacy so it will be a real battle to land his commitment.
Wyatt Wilkes 6'7" 200 lbs, 3-star SF/PF
I love this kid's game. He is a scorer and has beautiful outside jump shot. He has four year player written all over him and could wind up with the most three pointers in Florida State history. Wilkes is listed as a PF on 247Sports but I believe he will play the 3 or maybe even the 2 at Florida State. Wilkes seems to have a good feel for the game but when it comes down to it, his shooting ability and ability to score are his biggest strengths. The biggest question with Wilkes is his defense as he is not overly athletic but does have great size to defend the 2 or 3. His defense will improve under Hamilton and if his offensive game takes the next step, watch out because this kid could be special at FSU. I really like our chances at landing Wyatt Wilkes.
David Nickelberry 6'7" 205 lbs, 4-star SF
If David Nickelberry commits to the 'Noles, he will immediately become the best passer in the Leonard Hamilton era. Nickelberry is a play-making three who makes everyone around him better. He can also get his fair share of buckets, but his jumper is still a work in progress. Defensively with his length and quickness, he could definitely make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball. Florida State has made Nickelberry a priority and his play-making skills could be extremely valuable with the amount of offensive talent the 'Noles could have in 2017-2018. Nickelberry finished the summer playing on the same AAU team as Kevin Knox and maybe once we land Nickelberry he could help us land Kevin Knox.
Anthony Polite 6'6" 210 lbs, 3-star SG
Another Florida State legacy that the 'Noles are chasing is Anthony Polite and I feel like they need to land this kid. Polite is a well built left-handed two guard who has potential to be a lock down defender and an offensive weapon. This kid is wired to get buckets and has a smooth left handed jumper. He has great strength and always seems to square his body up when he attacks the basket. Polite will be a 3 to 4 year player at Florida State and could be an impact scorer off the bench right away at Florida State. By the end of his career Polite could set some records at Florida State and end up being an All ACC type of player.
Overall, I think this class could be special and help Florida State become a mainstay in the ACC but more importantly the NCAA Tournament. My dream class for the 'Noles would be Trimble, Gray, Knox, Wilkes, Nickelberry, and Polite. This could possibly go down as one of Florida State's best recruiting classes and would be a strong influx of long term talent for the 'Noles. Hopefully I get my dream class but the future of Florida State basketball is bright regardless.
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